Eurodam dry dock—what are the changes and updates?

[Benh]

We're cruising with Holland America for the first time this May to Alaska on the Eurodam. One of the draws for my Mom, who plays violin, were the quartets in the small Lincoln Center stage. We're sad that's going away in this renovation, but wondering what might replace it. Hoping for two things—the Dutch Café, and maybe a small library. 

 

Anyway, does anyone have any updates on what's being changed and updated on the Eurodam? Thanks in advance.

 

The last info I saw was that the dry dock is scheduled for these dates:

 

PLANNED DRY DOCKS

Eurodam 18 February 2023 – 04 March 2023

[Bakedziti43]

Any changes in the casino?  Will they still have a Let It Ride table?

[3rdGenCunarder]

It would be nice to see a Dutch cafe on more ships. I don't know if that will happen, but I wouldn't bet on a library. HAL has pretty much given up on that idea.

[oakridger]

47 minutes ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

It would be nice to see a Dutch cafe on more ships. I don't know if that will happen, but I wouldn't bet on a library. HAL has pretty much given up on that idea.

 

Actually, the Rotterdam does have a library.  She's the newest ship.

 

~Nancy

[DaveOKC]

19 hours ago, Bakedziti43 said:

Any changes in the casino?  Will they still have a Let It Ride table?

While I do not know for certain, I doubt that they will change the casino significantly.  Two weeks ago the Captain on the sister ship N.A. told us that the casino has already been expanded on the NA and that it will not be changing anytime soon.  The Eurodam has also already expanded its casino (into the same adjacent area).

 

[3rdGenCunarder]

13 hours ago, oakridger said:

 

Actually, the Rotterdam does have a library.  She's the newest ship.

 

~Nancy

 

Well, I hope it's more of a library than I saw on K'dam.

 

[cruisingrob21]

Buried in the bottom of this press release is some info about "modern libraries".  Not sure if that means they will have kindles for check out (not likely) or just a semi recent selection of books.

 

https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2023/03/holland-america-expands-shipboard-enrichment-program/

 

As far as expanding board game and card game rooms, well they had the gallery bar on some ships, but that seems to have been replaced by more slot machines (at least on the eurodam) so I'm not sure where they would put these new attractions - perhaps where lincoln center stage was.

[janmcn]

When they got rid of libraries a few years ago during “upgrades” they got a lot of blowback. They’re adding them back now…great! Zaandam still has the “old style “ library we loved with the Exploration Cafe right there.

[CNSJ]

On 2/27/2023 at 6:32 PM, 3rdGenCunarder said:

It would be nice to see a Dutch cafe on more ships. I don't know if that will happen, but I wouldn't bet on a library. HAL has pretty much given up on that idea.

Just read on line changes for HAL in 2023-2024, adding a full time arts and crafts instructor as well as renewed libraries...

 

 

"The art and craft instructor’s job will be to lead painting, drawing, and coloring in a new art studio. The program will also include sessions in crafting and needlework as well as painting classes to encourage artistic expression."

 

"Holland America Line is also adding modern libraries throughout the fleet in 2023 and 2024. The collection includes over 250 titles featuring a variety of genres such as contemporary popular fiction, mystery, young adult and short stories. The cruise line is also expanding board and card game rooms to include a selection of games and puzzles."

[3rdGenCunarder]

250 titles is an improvement over a dozen books in cube shelves, I suppose. I think there was a session on coloring when I was on Eurodam. 

 

I will continue to travel with my own books and my knitting.

 

I'm glad my next two HAL cruises will be port-intensive.

[allinthesameboat]

Where did you hear the Eurodam is discontinuing the Lincoln Center live quartets? That would surprise me since it's such a favorite and has been a great success.

[REOVA]

2 hours ago, allinthesameboat said:

Where did you hear the Eurodam is discontinuing the Lincoln Center live quartets? That would surprise me since it's such a favorite and has been a great success.

Search the past posts. HAL is making LC a "show" on the main stage but not daily. 

 

Maybe they will make the old Explorer's cafe a Dutch Cafe🤞🤞

[3rdGenCunarder]

Here's the long thread about it.

 

 

[REOVA]

On 2/28/2023 at 9:16 AM, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

Well, I hope it's more of a library than I saw on K'dam.

 

That seems to be the style like on Rotterdam. They just opened one on Zuiderdam. Taking space from one of the meeting/instruction rooms. I call it more a "book store" with multiple copies of titles and 4 chairs to sit in if you want to stay. Otherwise it's take back to cabin. 

[cruisingrob21]

6 hours ago, REOVA said:

That seems to be the style like on Rotterdam. They just opened one on Zuiderdam. Taking space from one of the meeting/instruction rooms. I call it more a "book store" with multiple copies of titles and 4 chairs to sit in if you want to stay. Otherwise it's take back to cabin. 

(Nearly) Gone are the days of the extravagant HAL libraries.  While they can still be found on the Volendam, Zaandam, and a small one on the Noordam, one has to wonder for how much longer the V and Z will be around, or the N will have a drydock to replace the library with a shop or something. 

[cruisingrob21]

Based on some photos of the ship in port everglades this evening, it looks like some of the cabin balcony lights have been swapped out for LED lights - kind of that "medical office" blue tint of light.  

 

If this was part of the upgrade, its nice to see HAL investing in something for the Eurodam.

[DRedmond]

On the Eurodam right now. Nothing is going on in the Lincoln Center at all.  One lonely piano all alone. The Explorers Club is also empty looking.. no

people or activity. As far as refurbishments go we were told new carpet in dining areas and some new furniture. I have never been on ship before so can’t say. Certainly nothing all too impressive. One staff person also said they are doing away with libraries. Making them more like a cafe style. 

[3rdGenCunarder]

57 minutes ago, DRedmond said:

On the Eurodam right now. Nothing is going on in the Lincoln Center at all.  One lonely piano all alone. The Explorers Club is also empty looking.. no

people or activity. As far as refurbishments go we were told new carpet in dining areas and some new furniture. I have never been on ship before so can’t say. Certainly nothing all too impressive. One staff person also said they are doing away with libraries. Making them more like a cafe style. 

 

Oh, that is sad to hear. I loved Lincoln Center. I guess the drydock was a break in contracts so it was easy to make the change then. Is there still a lonely piano in the Ocean Bar? It's a reminder of what HAL used to have. 

 

I suppose you've seen the Crow's Nest/Explorations Cafe? Those walls with the cube shelves are what is supposed to replace a library. Sigh.

 

Thanks for reporting on the ship, even if it's less than happy news.

Edited March 5, 2023 by 3rdGenCunarder

[0106]

When the Eurodam was in dry dock, what happened to the service staff? Is there an all new crew on today’s cruise? Just wondering what happens to the the servers, bar staff and cabin attendants when there are no passengers.

[DRedmond]

46 minutes ago, 0106 said:

When the Eurodam was in dry dock, what happened to the service staff? Is there an all new crew on today’s cruise? Just wondering what happens to the the servers, bar staff and cabin attendants when there are no passengers.

The employees I spoke to said they worked during dry dock.. moving furniture, tossing things out etc.   so it seems to be the same staff as prior to dry dock 

[kopykat]

We were on the K-dam last month and spoke to the crew about what they did during dry dock. Lots of cleaning!

[Florida_gal_50]

Yup, during a dry dock there is no rest for the crew, just different jobs to get done. 

[chengkp75]

12 hours ago, 0106 said:

When the Eurodam was in dry dock, what happened to the service staff? Is there an all new crew on today’s cruise? Just wondering what happens to the the servers, bar staff and cabin attendants when there are no passengers.

There will be several hundred sub-contractors who will live on the ship, so crew will be needed to clean the cabins, make and serve the meals, and clean the laundry for these folks.  Other crew will be used as "clean up" gangs to allow the sub-contractors to concentrate on their jobs, and not need to waste time on daily clean up, debris removal, or furniture replacement.  Finally, some crew will be assigned as "fire watch", assigned to various locations around the ship where the shipyard workers are performing "hot work" (oxy-acetylene cutting and welding), where the crew standby at the work site, and all adjacent spaces, checking that no sparks or heat catch anything on fire, and extinguishing any that happen.

[0106]

Anyone currently onboard who could comment on changes or up grades made during the dry dock?  TYIA

[DRedmond]

1 hour ago, 0106 said:

Anyone currently onboard who could comment on changes or up grades made during the dry dock?  TYIA

I am on the ship currently and commented above. Basically no Lincoln Center and they have not refurbished the room. Sitting there with a lone piano on the stage and empty chairs. They have not been on Main Stage either. Employees said new carpeting in dining areas and some new furnishing. I have never been on Eurodam before so can’t really say what’s different but could look if there are specific questions.